Energy Conservation Tips

General

• During the winter months, lower your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower. During the summer months, set your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. With most energy consumed by heating and cooling, set your furnace to run only when you need it with a programmable thermostat.
• Ensure that your home is properly insulated. Insulation helps regulate your home's temperature.
• Have your chimney flue, space heaters, water heater and fireplace checked to see how much cold air is entering your home.

1. Family Room

• Turn off lights, TVs and other appliances when they are not needed.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescents, which are more efficient and last longer.
• Control the intensity of your incandescent bulbs with dimmer switches to save money.
• Consider a home energy audit to find out how energy efficient your home is and the best way to spend your home-improvement dollars.

2. Kitchen

• Turn off the 'high temperature' rinse option on your dishwasher, and simply open the door to allow the dishes to air dry.
• Boiling water in a pot on your gas stove uses less energy than a plug-in kettle.
• Consider purchasing Energy Star® qualified appliances - they may cost a little more but you will save money in the long run.
• Use small appliances such as a microwave, slow cooker, or toaster oven instead of the stove.
• An energy meter can help you test out your appliances to see which ones use the most energy.

3. Bathroom

• Using a low-flow shower head can reduce your hot water costs.
• Take short showers instead of baths: a five-minute shower uses less water than a bath.

4. Basement

• Ensure your water heater is running efficiently and reduce the temperature setting on it. Insulate your hot water heater and hot water pipes. Insulation will make it easier for your hot water to retain its heat.
• Take clothes out of the dryer and fold them while they are still warm to prevent wrinkling; your iron uses a lot of energy.
• Clean, or replace, your furnace filter. A dirty filter forces your furnace to work harder to heat your home.